Review: Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I cannot even begin to describe how much I enjoyed Stolen by Lucy Christopher. It's well-written, gripping, shocking, sad, dark, realistic, and beautiful.

Summary: This is how it happened: Gemma is on a layover in Bangkok, en route to a family vacation in Vietnam. She steps away for just a second. To get a cup of coffee. Ty--rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar--pays for her frink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what's happening, Ty takes her. The object of a long obsession, Gemma has been kidnapped by her stalker and brought to the Australian Outback. To sand and heat. Emptiness and isolation. Where he expects her to love him.

Stolen is written in first-person narrative, as a letter to her kidnapper. The content is disturbing and sometimes uncomfortable, but like Nabokov's Lolita, it is also beautiful. We hate Ty on sheer principle. We want to run screaming from him, but we also see the allure to his character; he's so much more than a twisted criminal. Ty lives the language of love, just as Humbert does in Lolita. If we didn't know what was happening in Stolen, we might not know that Ty's feelings for Gemma were anything but feelings of true love and respect. If you liked Lolita (in the way that you liked the book, but were also repulsed and couldn't tear your eyes away), then you will enjoy Stolen.

I went through a myriad of emotions while reading this book. I pitied Gemma, I was scared for her, I was annoyed, I was angered by her developing feelings for Ty, and I understood her. Christopher shows how easily any girl (or person, for that matter) can become a victim of something like this. Gemma does not "ask for it" and she doesn't make bad choices. This is a frightening, but all too real scenario of an everyday teenage girl who manages to survive a terrible, terrible situation.

Stolen is also a story of psychological and emotional distress. Christopher brings to life the crippling emotions of the victim and what it's like to live with Stockholm Syndrome. Mental illness is such an important topic and I'm glad that Christopher makes the story about so much more than the crime itself. Stolen makes it clear that surviving the kidnapping is only half the battle

Although Stolen is a teen book, I enjoyed it very much as an adult. Lucy Christopher is a talented writer whose story has stuck with me from the moment I started reading, to the moment I finished (and I finished reading this book days ago!). It reads a little like The Lovely Bones, but I see more similarities to Lolita. This is a powerful, beautiful, and amazing book, and I sincerely recommend you add this to your reading list!

5 Stars

Review: The Last Thirteen Book Two: 12 by James Phelan

The second book in the thrilling The Last Thirteen multi-platform series by James Phelan. This book takes us to Egypt and Rome in the race against evil. The Dreamers and the heroes from the Academy are often separated so there's a lot more going on than there was in Book One. The two biggest story arcs are the protagonist, Sam, recruiting another Dreamer and Alex's being kidnapped by the Enterprise, thereby sparking a brainwashing/betrayal story arc that is sure to pay off in future books. Unlike the first book, there's a little more violence as we see some real gunfire, more danger, and even some physical altercations.

We finally get a real showdown between Sam and Solaris, but Solaris' capabilities and his story are still shrouded in mystery. We've still got eleven books to go, so I'm guessing it'll be a while before we get the really juicy stuff about Solaris' powers and his past. Too bad.

The characters are flat, with most detail being left up to the reader's imagination. With a novel that will come to include so many important main characters, I think this works for the series. Book Two is a fast-paced read with lots of destruction and mayhem.

I was surprised and a little disappointed at Alex's willingness to forgive his parents and overlook their lies and the current situation, but the book moves fast so I guess we don't have time for his hesitation. Hopefully Alex's loyalty to Enterprise will be an exciting story arc that will be developing over the series. If you're looking for a book with great characterization, this series can't offer you that.

The book opens with a one page, bulleted summary of what happened in Book One: 13, which is a great feature. The books are short (about 200 pages), and include a few hand-drawn pictures to break up the text. Book Two:12 concludes with an exciting cliffhanger that will get readers anxious to pick up the next book.

I'm not sure how great the series will be by book thirteen, let alone book ten, since the books follow the same general story like clockwork: nightmare, travel to a new city, get pursued by the Enterprise/Solaris, track a powerful artefact, darts, gunfire, nightmares, cliffhanger. Hopefully Phelan has some plot twists up his sleeves that will keep readers interested and coming back for more.

3.5 stars

The Last Thirteen Book Two: 12 will be published February 1, 2014.
The Last Thirteen Book Three: 11 will be published March 1, 2014. 
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Reading Challenge: What I Read in 2013

I'm thrilled to say that I completed the 2013 Goodreads Reading Challenge. I set myself a goal of 75 books, wishing I could strive for more, but afraid of not completing the challenge as I was finishing graduate school and trying to get a real job. I've always thought of myself as a reader, but university does take the fun out of reading.

I managed to read 97 books out of my goal of 75, not including the books I re-read. Here's what I read in 2013:




Classics 
1.   The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
2.   Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy     The Best Classic Book
3.   Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Fiction

4.   Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh     The Funniest Book

5.   Son by Lois Lowry

6.   Inside by Alix Ohlin     The Best Canadian Fiction

7.   The Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan

8.   Messenger by Lois Lowry

9.   Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

10.   A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

11.   A Beautiful Truth by Colin McAdam

12.   The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

13.   The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Non-Fiction/Memoir
14.   The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls     Unexpected Favourite

15.   Rick Mercer: A Nation Worth Ranting About by Rick Mercer

Teen

16.   Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott     The Book that Surprised Me

17.   The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

18.   The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

19.   Allegiant by Veronica Roth     The Book that Disappointed Me a Little

20.   The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

21.   Openly Straight by Bill Koenigsberg     Best Controversial Topic Book

22.   The Bridge from Me to You by Lisa Schroeder

23.   The Maze Runner by James Dashner

24.   Marie Antoinette Serial Killer by Katie Alender

25.   Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

26.   Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater     The Best Teen Supernatural Book

27.   Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

28.   Abandon by Meg Cabot     The Best Paranormal Romance [Series]

29.   Defy by Sara B. Larson

30.   Underworld by Meg Cabot

31.   Awaken by Meg Cabot

32.   The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher      The Best Mystery/Thriller

33.   Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

34.   Legend by Marie Lu

35.   Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

36.   Insurgent by Veronica Roth

37.   The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

38.   Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

39.   Divergent by Veronica Roth     The Best YA/Teen Dystopian

YA

40.   The Fault in our Stars by John Green 

41.   Rip Tide by Kat Falls 

42.   Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am by Harry Mazer

43.   The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

44.   The House of Hades by Rick Riordan  Book I was Most Excited For 

45.   Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys     Best War Story

46.   Who Could That Be At This Hour? by Lemony Snicket

47.   The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen

48.   The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

49.   The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

50.   The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

51.   The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

52.   In My Enemy's House by Carol Matas

53.   Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Middle Grade

54.   Smile by Raina Telgemeier     The Best Graphic Novel

55.   Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown     The Best Middle Grade

56.   The Hypnotists by Gordon Korman

57.   A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Llyod     The Best Lovable Book

58.   Spirit Animals, Book One: Wild Born by Brandon Mull

Picture Books

59.   Fox and Squirrel by Ruth Ohi     

60.   Swamp Water by Robert Munsch

61.   The Very Brave Bear by Nick Bland     The Sweetest Picture Book

62.   The Night Before Christmas by Barbara Reid     The Best Holiday Book

63.   How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

64.   There is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

65.   I Love My New Toy by Mo Willems

66.   The Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems

67.   The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

68.   Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems

69.   The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems

70.   Chester by Melanie Watt     

71.   Boo! by Robert Munsch

72.   Press Here by Herve Tullet

73.   Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. 

74.   Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

75.   Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems  The Funniest Picture Book

76.   My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

77.   The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! by Mo Willems

78.   Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch

79.   Moose! by Robert Munsch

80.   No Clean Clothes by Robert Munsch

81.   We Share Everything! by Robert Munsch

82.   Zoom! by Robert Munsch

83.   Get Out of Bed! by Robert Munsch

84.   Playhouse by Robert Munsch

85.   Andrew's Loose Tooth by Robert Munsch

86.   I Am So Embarrassed by Robert Munsch

87.   Look at Me! by Robert Munsch

88.   Seeing Red by Robert Munsch

89.   Down the Drain by Robert Munsch

90.   The Sand Castle Contest by Robert Munsch

91.   Mmm, Cookies! by Robert Munsch

92.   Makeup Mess by Robert Munsch

93.   Too Much Stuff! by Robert Munsch

Graphic Novels

94.   The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan     The Best Cover

95.   Fables by Bill Willingham

96.   The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

97.   The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan     

In 2014, here are my reading resolutions: 

• Read 150 books (shooting for 175!)
• Read 10 classic novels
• Read more Canadian fiction
• Read more middle grade 

Happy Reading in 2014, Everyone! 

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Victoria Scott's new novel Fire & Flood comes in hot on the trail of the teen/dystopian fiction books that emerged in the wake of The Hunger Games. Contenders volunteer to enter a deadly race where only one person can win a cure for any one person's ailment—any ailment. It is a bloody race for the ultimate prize, driven by the lengths that humans will go to out of desperation and determination.

This book was so much better than I expected— it was incredible! It is so well-written and exciting that it doesn't need my Hunger Games hangover to be a great read. This isn't a knockoff and it's definitely a YA must-read for spring 2014.

That's not to say fans of Suzanne Collins won't be a little bitter. There ARE several similarities, but that's what sells in this market. Everyone is looking to write the next Hunger Games, Twilight, or Harry Potter.

Fire and Flood Game: Race Hero's Participation: I VOLUNTEER TO SAVE MY BROTHER! The Arena: Cut-throat Contenders, alliances, finding means of survival in each arena The enemy: The government Dangerous competition: The Triggers

The Hunger Games Game: Fight to the death Hero's Participation : I VOLUNTEER TO SAVE MY SISTER! The Arena: Cut-throat Tributes, alliances, finding means of survival in whatever arena is chosen by the Game Makers The enemy: The government Dangerous competition: The Careers

One of the main differences is that each Contender is provided with a genetically engineered animal to assist them called a Pandora. Tella's Pandora is Maddox; an adorable black fox with superior powers. He, like Tella, is braver, stronger, and is clearly more than what he appears to be. So to sum up, F&F is like a cross of Pokemon and The Hunger Games. 

As a protagonist, Tella was difficult for me to like. Scott plays up the love interest aspect a bit too much and it makes Tella seem immature and silly. Tella spends too much time wishing/whining that Guy would share all of his deep dark secrets. What? You haven't shared everything with him and Sweetie, you JUST met him. It's okay that he's not spilling his soul to you. Please pull it together and remember why you're here. Then again, the writing is so good that it's difficult to stay irritated when Scott writes love and passion so well.

"He could make me hot in the ninth circle of hell." Damn. 

While Tella isn't a warrior or in possession of any extra talent, she is a girl who made a very brave choice to save her brother. She gets as far as she does because of her Pandora and with the help of her allies. I respect the strength she has and her ability to recognize that it's okay to accept help; that you don't have to risk your life to go it alone. 

Just when you think the book is good, the ending will leave you breathless. You'll be turning the pages as fast as the blood-thirsty desperation of the other Contenders emerges. There's plenty more drama, suspense, betrayal, danger, and blood to be spilled even after this pulse-pounding conclusion. 

I'm really looking forward to reading the second book. Do NOT write this book off because of its similarities to The Hunger Games. It's a thrilling novel of heart-stopping proportions in its own right. Go and reserve your copy! 4 stars.

Fire & Flood will be published March 1, 2014.

Review: The Last Thirteen Book One: 13 by James Phelan

The Last Thirteen Book One: 13 by James Phelan is the first book in a new multi-platform series for 10-14 year olds. The publisher compares this book to Inception and The Da Vinci Code, but I also see similarities with Divergent and with Rick Riordan novels. Essentially the plot is this: thirteen kids are prophesied to save the world from impending doom with their powers of true Sight and mysterious ability to dream things before they happen or to dream the answers they seek.

The series skews towards a male audience. The characters are fairly flat, but the lack of character development allows for more action, destruction, and suspense. The series features teen heroes with a lot of power and responsibility. These are characters to look up to, who make selfless and logical decisions based on the greater good of others. The adult characters in this book tend to be unreliable and suspicious, if not dangerous. Make of this what you will, but all the heroics are achieved by the younger characters.

There is violence, but it's fairly muted in the use dart guns and smoke grenades. No matter what potentially fatal situation occurs, the characters remain as resilient as cartoon characters. They walk away from explosions and helicopter crashes without as much as a broken bone. For readers who like this kind of excitement, parents can feel good that the kids are reading something they like, something with as much destruction as Allegiant, without the deaths and gore.

There was something that bothered me in the opening scene. The main character (Sam) is dreaming of Solaris (the enemy), who is telling him to surrender a mysterious and obviously important crystal that has appeared in his pocket. I'm a #Potterhead... this scene was a little TOO familiar to me. Really? A powerful magical item appearing in one's pocket and a villain creepily taunting a kid? For example, Harry Sam wouldn't surrender the stone crystal to Voldemort Solaris, even when he threatened to kill everyone he knows.

"So brave, right until the end…” Its voice rattles around inside my skull. “At the final battle, just like the prophecy says, you will lead me to my rightful power, thinking all the while that you are saving these foolish people.”

…

"I have no idea what it is talking about but then I sense a weight in my pocket. I have something important that this thing wants… this heavy, round object.”

Regardless, it didn't sway my enjoyment of the story. The book ends with a heart-stopping cliffhanger, which will definitely get readers excited to start reading Book Two: 12. I was lucky to have access to both books, so I closed book one and went right to book two! These books are short, fast-paced, and great for reluctant chapter book readers. The book is accessible, full of action, destruction, and suspense. There are thirteen books in all; Book Two will be released February 1st, and then one book a month after that!

3.5 Stars

 Thirteen books. Thirteen Nightmares. Are You One of Them?

Review: Inhuman by Kat Falls

Inhuman by Kat Falls is a YA dystopian novel from Scholastic Inc., but it's not like any other YA dystopian story out there. Inhuman reads like a cross between Alice in Wonderland and The Walking Dead. I also find it hilarious to note that Chicago is again the setting of this dystopian society. Poor Chicago. Why do YA authors think this city is going to hell?

Set in the future, the world has been ravaged by a virus that essentially turns humans into animalistic creatures. Those afflicted are trapped on the other side of a heavily guarded defensive wall in attempt to control another outbreak and to protect the population from the danger posed by the infected. This abandoned area of the U.S. is nicknamed the Feral Zone- something that you can't really appreciate until the courageous female protagonist (Lane) adventures through it on a mission to save her father.

Inhuman is a mix of horror, suspense, action, and adventure. There's guns, bloodshed, corrupted and power-hungry antagonists, a light love story, and of course-- humans who have turned into savage part-animals. The protagonist is courageous, smart, and yet another strong female character to inspire readers. I enjoyed the fact that she's not immune to the horror around her; she's humanized in her reactions to the violence and danger in the Feral Zone.

The book explores the differences between being human and being animal, suggesting that with or without a virus, we all have a little "feral" in us. You can be "all human" and still be driven to feral qualities or actions in moments of pure desperation or in an attempt to survive; it's human nature. We see that not all "animals" are feral, but we also see that all humans have some animal in them; whether they were infected or not. It's a vague reference to evolution in that this a virus that exposes who we are at the most basic level, by turning man back into beast.

Inhuman is a fact-paced adventure through a mutated, desperate, and violent world. It is a fantastic fantasy/dystopian story that is well-written, exciting, and different from the wealth of other dystopian YA novels out there. Kat Falls is an extraordinary writer! If you enjoy teen action/adventure and dystopian novels, this is a must-read!

4 stars

Review: Swamp Water by Robert Munsch

Swamp Water is another witty and colourful tale from Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko. 

Victoria's grandmother takes Victoria out for lunch. Chaos ensues because fancy food and kids don't mix. Victoria tries to order kiddy foods such as hamburgers, chicken, and PB & J sandwiches. Poor Victoria has to explain to the waiter and the chef what a PB & J sandwich is and how to make one, since the restaurant has the ingredients, but they insist they don't have them. 

The title refers to Victoria's drink of choice (swamp water is a mixture of pop/juice that resembles the colour of a swamp). It's the last insulting straw to the waiter, who has already been offended by her choice of food.

I chuckled at how the waiter phrased his asking Victoria what she would like to order: "Would you like our Fancy Restaurant Fancy Lunch?" Whatever the waiter actually asked doesn't matter; this is what a child would hear when someone spews strange words at them, when there's fancy china on the table, and a well-dressed waiter staring down at them.

I can't decide if I dislike the waiter, or if I pity him. Victoria isn’t as bratty as some of the kids that Munsch writes about, but the grandmother does let her get away with her behaviour. The grandmother smiles good-naturedly throughout Victoria's outbursts, as if her charming granddaughter is being adorable, rather than stubborn and rude. There is no parental control over children here, but it wouldn't be funny if Grandma sternly told Victoria to calm down and ordered something edible for her. 

Nonetheless, Swamp Water is a hilariously realistic story that gently mocks fancy restaurants that do not accommodate kids. This is not a story with a moral at the end, but it is funny in typical-Munsch fashion. Kids can appreciate Victoria's determination to order something edible at a fancy restaurant and parents can appreciate the hilarious and realistic comment on what it's like to dine at a fancy restaurant with kids. 

Bottom line: we've all been the kid who just wants chicken fingers at a place that would never DARE serve anything like it.